About SOAS

100 years of SOAS

5 June 1916 - the School (of Oriental Studies) receives its Royal Charter

18 January 1917 - the first students are admitted

23 February 1917 - the School is formally opened by the King Emperor George V

The School is planning a year of events and activities with our world-wide community to mark our achievements of the last hundred years and chart our future course as a scholarly resource of global relevance, guardian of specialist knowledge and champion of the issues that matter in the regions that matter in the 21st century.

Early days

SOAS was founded as the School of Oriental Studies, with the emphasis on practical instruction, as displayed by this early advertisement

Celebrating our achievements

In nearly 100 years of existence our small, specialist institution has built a strong academic reputation throughout the world and especially in Asia, Africa and the Middle East. As we look back over a century of scholarly achievement, we are also looking to the future educational and research needs of our academic community.

In readiness for our celebrations, we will amalgamate our two campuses onto one central site in Bloomsbury, transforming SOAS’s ability to fulfil its academic vision and mission. The development of the North Block of Senate House will extend our vibrant campus in this prestigious London district of learning and heritage, enable the planned increase by 25% of SOAS’ student community and support initiatives like the newly launched SOAS China and South Asia Institutes.

The entrance to the redeveloped north block of Senate House, launching in SOAS' 100th academic session

A chance to reflect

'I hope that all who support SOAS - and those who, as yet, don’t - will realise how fortunate we are to have such an institution in our midst. Understanding the world is just as worthy of our resources as defending ourselves against enemies – enemies we might not have made if we’d had a little more understanding in the first place.'

Michael Palin, Honorary Fellow

Planning our future

As SOAS approaches its centenary, our goal is to deepen our impact on Asia, Africa and the Middle East. Phenomenal economic growth in China and India, political upheaval in the Middle East, the burgeoning middle classes of Africa – our world class scholars are well-placed to provide the analysis and understanding of our rapidly changing world. Our new courses, such as BA International Relations and BA English are examples of the constant innovation we bring to our teaching programmes in order to equip and inform today’s and tomorrow’s global citizens and institutions.

Architects' impression of the atrium at the heart of the redeveloped Senate House North Block

As SOAS embarks on its second century, it will offer state of the art research, teaching and student provision, all in one precinct. It will ensure the future of SOAS as a top flight university which offers a unique resource for a complex world, and an institution of which our alumni can remain truly proud.

SOAS in the world

'Today, as our centenary approaches, the world needs SOAS more than ever before. When new democracies, markets and treaties are formed, when famine, war and disease strike, when cultural heritage is threatened, the world turns to SOAS for answers. Our scholars know how today’s news stories are deeply bound up in history, culture and language. They are trusted guardians and interpreters of heritage and tradition. They approach the issues of the present with optimism, knowledge and wisdom, which they pass on to others through research and teaching, so that solutions may be found for the future.'